Name: Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 22 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 tube crescent rolls (8 ounces); 4 oz brie cheese; ⅓ cup homemade cranberry sauce

There’s something truly irresistible about the combo of melty brie and tart cranberry in a bite-sized package — that’s exactly why this Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe has become my go-to for easy entertaining. The flaky dough, creamy cheese, and bright cranberry hit all the right notes, making these little treats an instant crowd-pleaser.

The image shows several small puff pastry cups placed on a white marbled surface. Each pastry cup has a golden brown, flaky outer layer that folds up around a bright red, glossy cranberry filling in the center. Some of the cups have small green herb leaves on top as decoration. Around the pastries, there are frosted red cranberries scattered, adding a festive touch. To the side, there is a white ramekin filled with more glossy cranberry sauce. In the background, there are a few white wedges of soft cheese. The photo is well-lit with a soft focus, highlighting the textures and colors of the pastries and fillings. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Honestly, I can’t say enough good things about this Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe. It’s one of those apps that feels fancy but is insanely simple to make, perfect whether you’re pulling together a last-minute snack or impressing guests at a holiday party.

Quick & Easy: Takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish, even if you’re juggling other dishes.
Minimal Ingredients: You probably have most of these on hand already, which makes this a no-fuss recipe.
Flavor Explosion: The creamy brie balances the tart cranberry sauce beautifully with a little flaky dough for texture.
Versatile Occasion Snack: Perfect for date nights, game days, or festive holiday gatherings.

A close-up of a small pastry held between a woman's hand's fingers, showing two layers: the outer layer is golden brown, flaky, and slightly puffed dough that curls inward at the edges, and the inner layer is a thick, dark red, chunky fruit filling that looks rich and juicy, some of which slightly spills over the dough edges. The background is softly blurred with warm tones, and the surface beneath has a white marbled texture photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This cranberry brie bites combo works because it balances rich, creamy brie with the tart brightness of cranberry sauce, all wrapped up in buttery crescent roll dough. Each ingredient plays its part to create that perfect mouthwatering bite you won't want to stop eating.

Flat lay of a fresh, unrolled crescent roll dough sheet gently folded at the seams, a small wedge of creamy brie cheese with its rind visible, and a small white ceramic bowl filled with homemade cranberry sauce rich with whole cranberries, all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Crescent Rolls: These offer a flaky, buttery base; pressing the seams makes the dough sturdy enough to hold the fillings without too much spreading.
Brie Cheese: Soft, creamy, and mild — just enough richness to complement the cranberries without overpowering them.
Homemade Cranberry Sauce: Tart and slightly sweet, homemade sauce is just perfect here because you control the sugar and texture; it adds freshness and zing.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love playing around with this Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe depending on the occasion. You can easily swap out the cranberry sauce for fig jam or apricot preserves for a different twist, or add a sprinkle of chopped nuts for crunch. Don’t be afraid to make it your own!

Variation: One time, I added a little fresh rosemary on top before baking—it gave this lovely herbal aroma that had everyone asking for the recipe.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe

Step 1: Prep the Dough with Care

First things first, preheat your oven to 375°F. Unroll your crescent roll dough and gently press along the seams to make a solid sheet — this helps keep your bites from falling apart. Then, cut the dough into 18 roughly even rectangles. I find using a sharp knife or pizza cutter works best for clean edges.

Step 2: Assemble the Bites

Place each dough rectangle into a mini muffin tin cup. Don’t worry if it doesn’t go all the way up the sides; this shape holds just enough filling and crisps up nicely. Cut your brie into 18 small pieces, roughly a cube each. Place one piece of brie into each dough cup, then top with about a teaspoon of your homemade cranberry sauce. The key here is not to overload—the perfect balance will keep the dough crisp.

Step 3: Bake to Golden Perfection

Bake for 10-12 minutes until the crescent dough is beautifully golden and the brie is gooey and bubbly. Watch carefully toward the end because ovens vary—pull them out once they’re golden and juicy-looking. Remove immediately from the tin to cool slightly; letting them sit in the pan can make the bottoms soggy.

Top Tip

Over the years, I've learned a few tricks that make this Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe foolproof and even easier for you to replicate consistently. These tips have saved me from watery bites or uneven baking during big gatherings.

Seam Pressing: Take your time to press the seams of the crescent dough well; it prevents shrinking and helps hold the cheese and toppings neatly.
Don't Overfill: I used to pile on extra cranberry sauce thinking it would add more flavor, but it just made the dough soggy—less really is more here.
Immediate Removal: Remove the bites from the muffin pan right after baking to keep the bottoms crisp rather than steaming in the hot tin.
Serving Warm: These bites are best enjoyed warm—if they cool too much, I quickly reheat in a low oven or toaster oven for a few minutes to revive the melty magic.

How to Serve Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe

cranberry brie bites - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

For a finishing touch, I often sprinkle a tiny bit of chopped fresh thyme or pistachios on top right after baking—it adds color and a little contrasting texture that's just delightful. Some folks also like a drizzle of honey for extra sweetness that pairs beautifully with the tart cranberries.

Side Dishes

I like pairing these bites with a fresh green salad or a light vegetable platter when serving as part of a casual get-together. If it’s holiday season, I’ll sometimes add a bowl of mixed nuts and olives to balance out the richness with something savory and crunchy.

Creative Ways to Present

One memorable New Year’s Eve, I arranged these Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe on a beautiful slate tray surrounded by edible flowers and fresh rosemary sprigs. It instantly made the snack table feel stylish and inviting — perfect when you want to wow your guests without spending hours fussing over decor.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After they cool completely, I store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. I recommend placing a sheet of parchment between layers to keep the bites from sticking together or turning soggy.

Freezing

I’ve also frozen these successfully by baking first and then freezing the cooled bites individually on a tray. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe container. When you want a quick snack, just reheat them straight from the freezer—super convenient for unexpected guests!

Reheating

To reheat, I pop the bites into a preheated 350°F oven for about 5-7 minutes until warmed through and melty again. It’s the best way to avoid soggy microwaved bites and keeps the dough crisp and golden.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use store-bought cranberry sauce?

Absolutely! While I prefer homemade cranberry sauce for its freshness and customizable sweetness, store-bought works just fine in a pinch. Just try to pick one that’s not too watery to keep your bites crisp.

Can these bites be made vegan or dairy-free?

To make this Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe vegan or dairy-free, you can substitute the brie with a plant-based cheese alternative that melts well. There are many cashew-based or soy cheeses available, but keep in mind the flavor and texture will vary from traditional brie.

What can I use if I don't have a mini muffin tin?

If you’re missing a mini muffin tin, you can try shaping the bites on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Just spoon small rounds of dough, add the brie and cranberry on top, then gently fold the dough edges around the filling. They’ll be less uniform but still delicious.

Can I prepare these ahead for a party?

Definitely! You can assemble the bites up to 24 hours ahead and keep them refrigerated covered tightly until you’re ready to bake. This can save you some prep-time on party day. Just make sure to allow a few extra minutes in the oven if they come straight from the fridge.

Final Thoughts

This Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe holds a special place on my snack table because it combines simplicity and elegance in every bite. Whether you’re making it for a cozy night in or a bustling holiday party, it always gets rave reviews. Give it a try—you'll find it just as addictive and fun to share as I do!